03 May 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo’s late header in the second half helped secure a point for Juventus as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Torino in the Derby della Mole. Torino did well in the first half at Allianz Stadium, with the Bianconeri commanding the second.
Juventus came into the game with a list of injuries, which also saw Emre Can forced to withdraw on match day morning due to a muscle problem, resulting in Massimiliano Allegri calling in the young Muratore in his place. As it is with derbies, there is always a sense of angst and emotions on the field, and it was no different in the opening stages of this encounter with some ball not always being played or cleared as planned.
LUKIC POUNCES ON JUVE ERROR
Torino had two good chances within the opening 17 minutes, which saw them claim a 1-0 lead. Chiellini couldn’t connect to clear De Silvestri’s cross into the box, and it unexpectedly landed up hitting Belotti into the chest and went towards goal, but Szczesny gathered it.
Then, a defensive error by Pjanic saw the Granata take the lead when Lukic claimed the loose ball inside the box and fired it into the back of the net. Juventus nearly scored an equaliser a minute later when Matuidi struck a scissor kick from a couple of yards out only to see Sirigu beat it away. The Bianconeri tried to work their way back into the game by putting pressure on the visitor’s backline, but they couldn’t find the equalizing goal by the time the half-time whistle blew. The first chance of the second half fell to the home side, when Cristiano Ronaldo rose the highest and directed his header towards goal, only for it to sail high of the frame.
FRUSTRATION AND THEN RONALDO REACTS
Juventus started to gain more momentum as the game went on, and on the half hour, Spinazzola found himself nearly bagging the equaliser when he went on a good run from the flank and cut inside. He then unleashed a right-footed effort on the edge of the box and it’s out by wide.
The stadium then erupted into applause by both sets of fans in remembrance of the Superga tragedy, with tomorrow marking the 70th anniversary of that tragic day. Action took place at both ends of the field, with Juventus coming close to putting themselves back in the game in the 76th minute when Chiellini fed the ball to Kean. The young striker then turned on the ball, rounded his defender and unleashed the ball towards goal that sailed straight into the hands of Sirigu.
All of Juventus’ hard work finally paid off when the scoreline drew level to 1-1 when Spinazzola filtered in a cross into the box. Ronaldo, once again, rose the highest to nod home an unstoppable header into the back of the net. Despite Juventus’ efforts in finding a late match-winner, Torino’s backline held out strong with both sides being forced to share the spoils.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Cuadrado (Pereira 77’), Pjanic, Matuidi, Bernardeschi (De Sciglio 85’); Ronaldo, Kean
Substitutes: Pinsoglio, Del Favero, De Sciglio, Caceres, Barzagli, Pereira, Nicolussi Caviglia, Muratore.
Torino XI: Sirigu; Izzo, Nkoulou, Bremer; De Silvestri (Zaza 89’), Meite, Rincon, Lukic (Aina 78’), Ansaldi; Berenguer (Baselli 70’), Belotti
Substitutes: Ichazo, Rosati, Baselli, Zaza, Singo, Damascan, Aina, Millico
